Looking for answers to life's questions

It’s been too long but I see the light! Winter is a favorite time of year…usually. This year was long, dark and exceedingly wet. I’ve plodded along trying to summon up the energy to do things. My friend and fellow blogger at incahootswithmuddyboots.comcame by to cheer me with signs of spring from her yard.

First signs of spring from my friend

The struggle with my vision has really slowed things down. I finally wised up and went back to the optometrist. My glasses that are eight months old were not working and I was scared. “Well no wonder” he says. “You’ve lost a whole diopter of vision since this last prescription.” Now I have no idea what a diopter really is even after my son explained it to me. “What caused it” I asked? He seemed to think it was because of excessive dry eye. That eye doesn’t blink as well as the other and leaks tears since the onset of Bells Palsy 7 years ago. Why am I losing so much vision now?

I bought 5 of these for my sewing group as a Christmas gift. This is mine finally finished.

The back is pink, not my favorite color but it’s cheerful.

It’s possible the C-pap machine that blows wind in my face all night might be drying out the eye if I’m not keeping it well closed in my sleep. I didn’t think that could be the answer so I made another appointment with an ophthalmologist and she verified that the eye was indeed quite healthy and quite dry.

So onto finding solutions. I put in a gel at night for better lubrication and have an eye mask to cover the eyes. My son’s ex-wife saw something online that she thought would help and I checked it out. This morning on my trip to town for lunch with friends, I stopped at the sleep study center and asked if they had it or could they get it for me. In 15 minutes, they saved me the more than $100 and handed one over after a fitting. I practically danced out of the office. No more wind in my face all night. Granted, it’s not terribly attractive but I’m hoping it fills the bill.

The wind is at the top of the head with this one.

So the second pair of glasses that were made a few weeks ago works quite well for distances but I can’t read the computer with them. Back to the old pair when I’m on the laptop. The optometrist will try to come up with another prescription that works better for both. It’s frustrating but there’s still so much I want to do, read and write. Vision seems essential to those desires.

I’ve been working on this forever it seems. Now comes the quilt around it.

In the meantime, the clutter has continued to be cleared. All of the industrial shelving from my son’s storage unit were sold and are gone from the yard. I am continuing to pare down but have found it’s a good idea to go through the boxes carefully before donation. I found a whole bundle of embroidery patterns that I bought almost 10 years ago for over $60. Everything else in the box went, the patterns are now being lined up to work.

I feed a sheet of water soluble adhesive into the printer and then stick it to the fabric, The ink washes away when I’m done.

Started this one this week

There are 15 designs to finish and put into a quilt possibly.

I’ve managed to get a few other things done.

My 2 squares for the donation quilt.

The darker one is mine. Made 2

Each of us puts in 2 squares and this is the result. It will keep someone warm

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So how are you seeing this time of year? Signs of spring or signs of autumn becoming more clear? Are you starting to perk up or wind down?

Comments on: "Seeing" (69)

You have been busy Marlene.. and reading about your eyesight, I hope this wind device helps stop your dry eye… I certainly hope so..
I know i had a new pair of glasses before Christmas.. it took a while to adjust to them as they are vari focal.. What I am used to, but the strength altered so I kept losing focus, and still have to adjust my head often while typing small content..

I so love your embroidery, The Winter plaque is amazing.. and your quilting, well I never get over how beautiful they are.. And I adored your Christmas gifts you made for your group..
Just wonderful..

Its so great to have spring flowers around us again.. Love your vase of Yellow .. And our Daffs are out too, the crocus have finished as have the snowdrops.. Now the Hyacinths are out in my tubs, and smell lovely when the sun gets to shine on them, which has not been all that often this week..
But we cannot complain we were supposed to get snow this week, but it missed us and went further North..

Lovely to see a new post from you again Marlene.. and yes our eye sight is precious so take good care.. Good to know the de-cluttering is going well too.

Thanks for stopping by, Sue. I’m hoping that now the spring energy will keep me moving forward. They will call me with another appointment time to remake these glasses. I have bifocals but may need more variation. I’m sticking with my healthy food plan and hopefully as the weight comes down, so will the need for the c-pap. It’s not good when you stop breathing in your sleep. 🙂 Lack of oxygen to the brain makes for slow thinking. The quilt was put together by another person in our group who is a much more experienced quilter but a dozen of us each adding 2 squares makes a nice sized donation quilt. I can barely handle 2 squares. We have dry weather part of today though chilly so I will go out shortly to pull weeds for a bit. Maybe even get in a good walk. I love spring and autumn. Summer is just so extreme anymore. What have we done? Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, M

It would be good to get an extreme Summer in England LOL.. And I hope they get your prescriptions right Marlene.. And I hope that mask thingy works for you.. 🙂 Sending LOVE and I loved my time looking at your amazing embroidery. 🙂 Take care.. Lots of Love Sue xxx

That’s why I put this out there instead of hiding about the need for the c-pap. I was hoping it would help someone. I’m glad it helped you. I’ve had the c-pap for a year. Ding, ding, ding. Bells going off here now. The gel ointment at night may help. We shall see. Glad you stopped by.

I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all of this, Marlene. You of all people do not deserve such struggles. No doubt, this post will help many who are experiencing the same. You quilts are so beautiful. My eyes could NEVER do such beautiful embroidery. Take care of yourself! xo

No one goes through life without trials. I count mine small and my blessings large. This post has already helped one other person so it was worth it. I had to give up cross stitch many years ago but this embroidery is quite easy to follow with good lighting. I’m always amazed at how well the hands seem to know what to do without the eyes help. It’s very relaxing to do while I listen to TV. 🙂 Keeps the cookies out of my hands. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

I have been wondering how your eyes were doing, so glad to hear you may have found a couple of solutions to help. My ex has a c-pap machine and I couldn’t figure out how he could sleep with that cold air blowing on his face all night. Your new mask is a much better design it may help you sleep easier too.

Love your quilts as always it’s the one thing I wish I had more patience for.

I’m thrilled to hear the shelving is gone and you are digging through your boxes rather than just donating them, what a waste losing those embroidery patterns would have been.

Spring is slowly arriving but it’s still so cold out. I’m starting to find more energy and drive to do more knowing it can’t be much longer. I do wish I had planted some spring bulbs they would surely cheer me up to see daffodils how nice your friend brought some by for you.

I planted some spring bulbs last year but not many came up this year. Too much water I think. It’s still quite soggy out there and my neighbors across the street have lost a good portion of their back yards. I had stopped using the c-pap as often from the fact it kept waking my up with the wind. Last night wasn’t great and I hope tonight will be better. I was delighted to find those patterns too. I made a copy of a few for a friend so she could make them too. I’m enjoying getting back to some handwork that I can do and see. My friend, Emily sewed all the squares together on that quilt. She’s a talented quilter with her own collection of probably 100 quilts. 60 of them will be on display at an open house next weekend where we had our retreat. One day maybe I’ll be half that good. Have a great weekend, Lois. Hugs, M

I sincerely hope that the eye issues get straightened out soon. Since having one cataract removed I am living in a new world, or at least it seems that way! You never really realize just how much you do with and depend upon your eyes when things aren’t right with them.
Love the embroidery. It used to be one of my most favorite hobbies, but my arthritis just won’t allow me to do it. Had to let it go years ago and I miss it terribly.

Thank you, Deb, for stopping by. Yes, vision is the one thing I have never taken for granted. Mine has always been limited and I can’t afford to lose even a little. I had a cataract removed on that eye 8 months ago and was expecting a whole new world. That didn’t happen and I’ve lost more. But I’m grateful that I can still do handwork and read. Arthritis is a hard one and many of my friends are plagued with it. I’m sorry you are too.

Hello my friend! Signs of spring are popping up (literally and figuratively) here as well. The ice has melted from the lake across the street from our house and the ducks, geese and killdeer have returned. I believe I’ve survived this winter of winters.

I’m so glad you went back to see your eye doc. Vision really is crucial to so much of what we (especially as writers) do! PS I love your little “winter” embroidery piece. Have a great weekend!

Thank you, Missy. I’m hoping to get the little quilt squares made sooner rather than later to frame the winter embroidery. I forgot how much I enjoyed doing embroidery. I’m hoping the optometrist takes a bit more time with the prescription next time. They tend to rush through at Kaiser. I’m ready here for some dry time. Have a wonderfilled weekend.

Dear Marlene I am going to send you an email later today when all my tasks are done – there are alternatives and there are remedies that do not require machines and such like. I was once misdiagnosed as losing my sight and spent three months trying to deal with that as a fact. I know the panic that sets in as a result of such medical inapproriateness. (Is that a word?) 🙂 Anyway, more later.xoxo

Thank you, Pauline. I’m open to anything. I have a tendency to stop breathing during the night and never wake up rested. I know I forget to breathe as I go about my day as well. The Chinese say wind on the face is never good and the cause of the Bells Palsy. Not sure I quite buy that but discount nothing. I’ll look forward to looking at your take on it. Giant hugs, M

I’m so happy to hear that you’re finding solutions to your eye problems 🙂 I love your Easter Bunny, he’s appropriately joyful and northern-hemisphere springlike! If you’d asked me about autumn a few weeks ago, I’d have said there were signs of the Wet coming to an end, and cooler, drier weather on the way. However, Mother Nature has done a backflip, and we’re now into cyclone weather that should have appeared two months ago. Ah well… off to pack the emergency bug-out kit.

Thank you, Kate. I’m so sorry to hear about your cyclone weather. So far this part of the country has not experienced those but I have been through them in other parts. Not fun. Each of us have a slightly different kit to put together and several of us have ours done now. I bought them well before Christmas last year to get a little taste of spring for my sewing friends here. I loved the cheerful look of them. The weather is quite unpredictable these days. I’m going to try and catch up on my blog reading as best I can. I hope all is well when we next hear from you.

Marlene, it must be frustrating having to deal with both the breathing problem and the eye irregularities. I’m glad to hear you remain proactive and that there are are a few things to try. It’s exhausting when we can’t get enough sleep. I’m sorry that the sleep apnea continues. I’m glad you’ve found a different system and though the first night was rough, I hope it will soon improve. Great job on the weight loss too. You must feel good about sticking to the new meal plan and seeing it work. Bravo!

Your bunny quilts are charming. They’re just perfect for Easter and the emergence of spring. I’m sorry to hear your bulbs failed to appear, but as you say, perhaps the heavy rains with little chance of drainage before the next storm made it difficult for them to survive. The majority of my bulbs are in raised beds or pots, so I’m sure that has helped make the difference. That said, one third of the curb garden bulbs failed to materialize making the planting box look completely lopsided. I’ve not dug down to see if they are missing entirely or rotted. It’s odd though.

I hope your spring arrives in earnest, and with that an improvement to both your vision and your sleep. Well done on your continuing efforts to declutter, and what fun to find a treasure in one of those boxes that you could immediately put to use. Sending hugs your way and wishing you lived closer. xo

It’s been like a giant puzzle unraveling the link between the C-pap and the vision problem. I’m hoping the information helped someone else. One fellow blogger was having similar issues and never linked them. So I’m well on my way to making things better. As the weight comes down again, I hope the need for the c-pap goes away. We shall see when I get there. They say it’s not weight related but I’m certain it’s at least a contributing factor. Hence the desire to keep working at it. The bulbs at the top of the terraces did better than the ones in front of the house. They have been saturated with no end for at least another week. So I won’t put any there again. I’ll have more time to devote now that things are settling down. Things are getting accomplished and more organized. Tomorrow is an inside day as it will continue to pour. I have an apron waiting to be finished and I did a nice walk today while it was dry outside. I am so enjoying seeing the possibility of actual accomplishment again. Not just pushing stuff around. Getting to where I can use it up. Your e-mail is waiting for my reply in the morning. It has been a very busy week for this old woman with no job. :)) Life is all good. That’s how I choose to see it anyway. Wish you lived closer too. Giant squishy hugs. M

Boy, that rain! It’s raining here now which makes my son happy. He’s been out walking in it again. Like mother, like son. 🙂

Too bad about the bulbs, but at least you now no. They do seem to need really good drainage which makes sense.

I’m sure your post will help others. In fact if you haven’t already done so, you can add those key words as tags so others can find you in a search. It’s amazing how much we learn from each other. Keep at it, Marlene. You’re inspiring me.

Thanks, Alys. I thought I had added those words as tags. I’ll have to look again. It did resonate with someone already so that was the plan. I want to inform, not whine. 🙂 I can’t begin to tell you how much rain we’ve had here. I’d like the ground to dry out for awhile.

Hope your sight is improved as a result of the new “device” and different glasses. Even with your sight problems, you seem to have been creating lots of beautiful things. Here in the UK spring is springing – hosts of golden daffodils are currently the order of the day (when it’s not pouring down, of course!) I am planting seeds and making cheese…

It’s pouring here too, so much I can’t get anything planted yet. I think we have already had this years expected rainfall. Things are starting to bloom. Hyacinth are up but very few of the daffodils made it. I will probably continue trying to make things even if I have to use the braille method. 🙂 There is a lot here waiting to be done so I must keep the eyes in good order somehow. Thanks for the visit. Have a wonderfilled weekend.

Yes, Marlene–it’s time for spring to arrive! You sound like you’ve been busy and productive, even as you’ve been dealing with your vision issues. The Winter embroidery is just gorgeous! I hope all the efforts with the new C-Pap and glasses pay off.

Thank you so much, Kerry. I’ll probably learn to do sewing and embroidery by braille if necessary. I do a lot already by feel as vision has always been limited. Have to keep those hands busy. 🙂 I’m anxious to start the quilt that frames the winter embroidery. All 2″ squares. So small I may need help with it. Things always work out in the end. Just one more new pair of glasses will be in order and I should by up and running. 🙂 Have a wonderfilled weekend.

I had to google c-pap. Looks, well, alien, but if it works then it works 🙂 How long have you been using it for?
I had Bell’s palsy when I was 31 and pregnant – but didn’t know it at the time! It lasted about 2 weeks, and I was not happy about it at all. I started seeing a new gynaecologist just afterwards, and she told me that it can be quite common in early pregnancy. Who knew….. along with all the other wonderful things, like extreme fatigue…. 🙂 Ah, happy days!
Have you thought about trying multifocal glasses? I got a pair about 6 months ago, and they work with close work, pc and tv.
Health problems are very crapola – I’m sure you are well on your way towards coping with them with your positive attitude. xxx

You are correct, Jill. The c-pap does look alien! It’s a good thing I sleep alone. 🙂 I used one years ago because I always woke up tired. They found out I stopped breathing in my sleep. Once I dropped some weight I thought I didn’t need it anymore. Ha! Now I need to lose the weight again. 😦 Still wake up tired.
Most people recover from the symptoms of Bells in a few weeks or months. I had to be different. Scared me when I saw the doctors pacing the hall and scratching their heads calling anyone they could find. Even tested for stroke it was so bad. Here I am 7 years later with a frozen face and damaged hearing as well as lack of balance. I’ve met one other person who recovered more by 5 years. I’m still not giving up hope. 🙂 Bells will come on with extreme stress, physical or emotional. Be wary.
I too am thinking a multi-focal lens may be in order. The bifocal isn’t cutting it. Thanks for stopping by.

I’ve worn glasses for more than 20 years and just went to a bi-focal setup. The price I pay working a job where I’m staring at a computer screen all day. I too have a C-Pap for sleeping, but have the full face mask (nose and mouth) as nothing else felt comfortable. I wake up at night sometimes when the top across the nose blows air into my eyes when not seated properly. Hope the optometrist figures out a prescription that works well and you can see clearly again 🙂

Thanks for stopping by, Andrew. I wore glasses from age 6-15 when they put me in hard lenses to stop the progressing of nearsightedness. It was advancing at a rapid rate. I wore contacts for the next 46 years until the Bells Palsy hit. Since the eye didn’t blink anymore, contacts had to go. It’s weak about closing on it’s own for the last 7 years so the wind in my face is an extra problem. Another blogger was also finding dry eye from the c-pap a possible culprit. Made me glad I mentioned it. HMO’s tend not to want to spend a great deal of time with a patient so I am learning to advocate a little harder for myself. It’s easier to do for your children. Hope you have a good weekend.

Very sorry to hear about the eye, Marlene. But good to hear that some nice people helped you out, saved you money and things look like they are picking up very well. So nice to hear 🙂 It can be frustrating to work things out with health sometimes. I’ve had my fair share of physical and mental health problems over the years, but I’ve learnt that being patient is always a good thing.

Good to hear cleaning out is going well. Agree it is always good to go through things before throwing them out. You never know – you may find something that you can use or something that you used to use and love 😀

Thank you for stopping by Mabel. Yes, things can work out well if you let them. And I’m glad I paused a bit in the clutter clearing. I was in such a mood to get stuff out of my space that I almost lost something I valued. I tried giving that box of patterns away before but the thrift store wouldn’t take it so it came back home. Talk about good fortune. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend.

Your work is beautiful, Marlene. I especially love the Winter embroidery up there. I read through the many comments about the connection with the eyes and the C-pap machine. Who knew?!!? Glad you posted this so others may be helped; seems as though that happened and is why I love blogging. 🙂 Have a great day! ❤

Thank you so much. I love that embroidery and looking forward to getting it done in time for next winter to hang on the wall. It will be small. Haven’t seen you for a while so I’m assuming you are doing a lot of volunteer teaching still. Have a great weekend. Hugs, M

Hi, Marlene. I’m glad you shared your work with us; it’s just beautiful. Yes, I’ve been in hiding, sort of, as I do when I don’t have much to say. You know the feeling? I’ve been reflecting, and while doing so, was contacted by family in Virginia, new family to me, about our genealogy. Good stuff. Working on a post about that, coming soon. I tried to walk the grounds where we live a few days ago and, since I forgot my goggles….had to change plans. Practically had to swim around our yard. Are you buried in water as well? Have a great weekend! Hugs. K.

Thanks for stopping by, Karenlee. Yes, we are more than a little soggy here. The manufactured homes across the street from me are in danger as the ground is washing out from behind them. I saw them taking measurements the other day in case they have to be moved. So far so good though since we have some dry days coming up. Yes, I do the same thing, stay silent unless it’s worth the time to write. People have better things to do than read my drivel. My daughter is really getting into her genealogy. Not sure why as she has no children to pass it down. No grandchildren here. Glad you are doing well.

LOL; yours is hardly drivel. The genealogy is addictive, and since we have so many letters and photos, it’s a huge puzzle. When you get one bite, you simply have to keep going. It’s kind of like chocolate…..My mother got me started when my children were quite young, and I’ve worked on it through the years as time permits. Right now, I do it for me and my mom; my children WILL thank me later, right? 😉

Oh Marlene, I am so sorry to hear about the problems you’re having with your eyes. I certainly hope your new Gadget helps and that your hours of sleep will increase. Gee, this getting old nonsense, it does seem to always be something, doesn’t it? I’m having good days and bad waiting for my knee replacement now moved to May 1st. Despite what’s going on with you it sounds like you quite busy and I’m always impressed with all of your accomplishments. I’ve never had the patience for any detail work like embroidery and I am so impressed. Perhaps if I have started at a younger age…. Getting ready to start some sewing projects. Sewing Machine had pretty much been packed away since before Christmas. It did seem to be a darkish winter here also and I have been on the lookout for spring as you know. We have some coolish weather going on now but expecting a warm up later next week. I’m sure I’ll be complaining in no time with the heat but I crave the warmth of the sun and have been trying to take advantage of it every chance I get! Unlike most of the people I know I’m enjoying the heat more as I’ve gotten older. Perhaps because I feel better and the joints function better with the warmth. So good to see your blog today. Don’t know why I have so much trouble keeping up with yours- it just never pops up even though I double checked my settings. Take care. Hugs.💕

Thank you, Jan. Glad you found your way to visit. I want to be on a more regular schedule again but life has it’s own schedule. So many other things to deal with. I love the sun and lots of sunlight. Anything over 80 sends me to the showers as I do not perspire. Heat stroke ended that when I was 10. We have had very few dry days and I take advantage of each and every one. Even dry moments. It’s hard waiting for something to happen like your surgery. I’m keeping good thoughts that it does the trick. My sister had a partial replacement maybe 6 years ago. She did quite well after. I flew up from CA where I was living with my son to help care for her. She enjoyed the pampering while it lasted. She was up and on her feet quickly though. They are going to have you down just when you want to be out and about. No fair. Keep me posted. You can always e-mail. 🙂 Hugs, M

Everytime I hear a story about vision loss, I try to remember how fortunate I am. Yes, I wear glasses, and I clearly need a new prescription, but I see with no problem. I’m thankful you found the answer and hopefully the new device will help!
Spring is here and I’m glad your friend brought by some beautiful flowers

Thanks for stopping by Laurie. Yes, vision is nothing to take for granted. When you realize they told my mother when I was 9 that I’d be blind by the time I was in my 20’s, you understand that I am grateful for every little bit of vision I have. I can still drive though I don’t push the distances. I’m actually a better driver than many with perfect vision which is scary in itself. The new mask is perfect for me. I’m quite happy with it. Think I’m going to plant myself a Forsythia bush this year. They do cheer one up in the spring. You guys have been hammered with weather this year. Ours has been rougher than usual but mostly just rain and more rain now. Soon it will be heat and more heat. 🙂 I am lucky to have such good friends.. Virtual and physical. Have a wonderfilled week ahead.

You’re a force for sure Marlene! You might feel like progress is slow but look at all you get done. Glad they could figure out a plan with your dry eye problem. I’d be alarmed too if I needed to get new glasses in such a short time. What’s in the vase with the daffodils? I love that, super cheery. I’ve managed to get a fairly annoying cold so will take this week easy, hoping to be healthy for my trip to DC April 4th. It’s the first cold this year, incredibly bad timing. Stay bright, you’re a delight, I like to rhyme all the time..teehee xo k

That’s cuttings from a Forsythia bush with the daffodils. Sorry to hear about your cold. I’m had a couple of days where allergies to something in the air tickled my nose but it goes away quickly. I don’t get colds and haven’t for over 20 years. Nor flu. I’m pretty lucky that way. I hope you are well in time for your trip too. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Giant squishy hugs. M

Hi Marlene! I read your post when I first noticed it in my inbox. I still remember when I got my first glasses. I went to the DMV for my drivers license and was asked to read the letters on the board. “What board?” I asked. 😂 Needless to say, I had to get glasses. Once they were ready, I stepped outside from the office and couldn’t believe my eyes! Everything in focus and the palm trees were swaying in the sparkling sun! I’ll never forget it! Eyesight is so important, but we often don’t give it much thought. I’m glad you are insisting to get the care you need at Kaiser. They are notorious for denying care.
Have a good week! 😎

Thanks, Sabine. Eyes are so important. I knew long before I could drive that the vision was a problem. Surprised you didn’t know before that. I’ll keep pushing but it’s getting expensive. We are getting some dry time this week so all should be better. Have a good week too.

My parents never had my vision checked, and in school I always sat in the first row. I think that all that plus other circumstances just made it seem normal and I adapted. Ever since, when I put on my glasses first thing upon waking, I marvel at my ability to now see everything so clearly!

Well despite your recent eye problems – and I do hope the new mask has improved things significantly, yippee for the sleep centre helping you out! – you’ve been a busy bee Marlene! I just love your bunny panel and your winter embroidery is exquisite. What a relief to have all that industrial shelving gone. Thank goodness you had a look in those boxes before throwing them out. This is a job I face in the not too distant future, but I am keeping my head firmly in the sand for now. I’m sure there are a few ‘treasures’ hiding away, meaning it will not be a quick sort out! I wear varifocols for reading and distance…didn’t have to until my 40’s and now I can barely see anything without them. Spring is sprung and after a long, wet winter like yours, it’s lovely to see all the blooms…although having said that, this week is decidely gloomy again. Here’s looking at warm, sunny days for us both my friend. And what a beautiful cheer up from your friend; nothing like a vase of daffodils to brighten the day, as you do mine with your delightful posts, always lovely to catch up with you and of course sending big hugs 🙂 xoxo

Thanks so much for the visit, Sherri. I do know how busy you are. I think they are going to have to think outside the box a bit with the next pair of glasses. I have had bifocals for the last 6 years since I had to stop wearing contact lenses after the Bells hit. This has been our wettest winter in decades and the gray is starting to wear on our nerves. The daffodils and forsythia was certainly a bright spot in the week. My sister will paddle her way over today to take me to lunch. I do see a break in the intensity of the rain after today. 🙂 Hope your spring continues to give you beautiful colors. Giant hugs to you, Sherri.

Always a pleasure to visit you Marlene. I heard about all the heavy rain in California from my friend, much needed after the awful drought, but now it seems it’s gone the other way, and you’re getting it too. I hope your sister has a smooth paddle over to you and enjoy a wonderful lunch today. Here’s to those beautiful spring colours and also to your new glasses to do the trick. Thinking of you Marlene, giant – and squishy! – hugs right back xoxo

Hi Marlene, those quilts are beautiful! I admire the work that’s been out into every single square. I’m so sorry for your eye troubles. I have a corneal erosion and need to take drops and especially gels at night- the latter will help you a lot since our eyes dry up at night. Hope your new glasses will help you as well. Best wishes, Sarah 😄

Thanks for stopping by, Sarah. It’s interesting what a dozen different women will come up with when you give them a color range and a free hand from there. Each set of blocks is entirely different considering what we have in our stash at the time. Once they all come together in a cohesive design, it turns into a lovely work of art. I just don’t get the eye drops as they run right out of the eye. Have been putting a patch on the eye at night too. I’ll try anything as probably you well understand. I haven’t heard of corneal erosion before so I’ll go look it up. Sounds quite serious.

It is indeed wonderful what you and the other women achieve! My aunt does it too, though I believe only by herself. I love sewing and knitting but I think I´m not patient enough for a large project as a quilt 😉
Happy quilting! 🙂

Another appt on the 21st. All the text is fuzzy but that’s the story for years. I read by the shape of the letters. 🙂 I sew by braille as well. Hands do a lot of seeing. At my age, there is no time to waste. 🙂

Wow, Marlene, I didn’t realize you were expected to be blind by age 20. Why of course you have been grateful for your eyesight all this time. And it also explains your amazing resilient attitude with the continuing eyesight problems. I was wondering why you haven’t been more angry about all this struggle. Now I see it’s a combination of your inner strength, wisdom, and perspective of gratitude.

I am in love with that Winter embroidery piece. So very lovely. Embroidery takes a lot of patience, and I really do admire you for taking on time-consuming projects when you always have so much on your plate.

It must have been a day for celebration when the shelving was sold and taken away!!

It was a joy when the shelving disappeared. A very happy dance followed. I embroider like I sew, the braille method. It’s relaxing to have my hands busy doing something other than eating. 🙂 The contact lenses helped keep the vision loss at bay until I couldn’t wear them anymore when the Bells hit. Dry eye and the inability to blink properly ended that bracing. I had a bit of a scare this week when I could barely see. Figured out it had to do with dehydration. I drink a lot of water but not getting enough so I worked at that. All better now. Getting mad doesn’t help, showing them they were wrong works so much better. 🙂 Hugs, M